You Need More Water. Here’s Why.
I know, I know. This one is probably a no-brainer for you, especially in the summertime.
Drinking plenty of water was likely the first health tip or wellness practice you heard about growing up. And then perhaps you were handed a Caprisun or other juice box to sip on at lunch. (Anyone else also love a grape Koolaid Jammer?)
I ran cross country when I was in high school, and staying hydrated was one of the first things I remember doing to make sure I was feeling good before practices and races. I can see myself refilling my hot pink S'well bottle between classes like it was yesterday.
But, while we all probably know we should be prioritizing our hydration, how many of us are actually doing it?
According to a book in the National Library of Medicine, 17–28% of older adults are chronically dehydrated. It also reported that “dehydration is a common cause of hospital admissions, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality while often complicating a range of medical conditions.”
Every part of your body needs water in order to function properly. While you know water is good for you, have you ever stopped to ask why? Adequate hydration offers a host of benefits to you and to me:
Staying hydrated improves brain function. Being even mildly dehydrated can impair cognitive functions as our brains slow down and process and respond to information less quickly. Dehydration can also be a factor in causing mild headaches.
Being well hydrated also boosts your mood! Much like how you react when you need food, you're also more likely to be irritable when you're dehydrated. What's the version of hangry for dehydration? (Dehangry, perhaps? I'm open to suggestions.) When your body is properly hydrated, your brain can work better and you can react more lightly to things that might otherwise be irritable. That means you're less crabby, which is what I call a win for you and your friends!
It's good for your heart, too! According to the American Heart Association, your heart works better and more efficiently when properly hydrated. Fueling your body with enough water helps blood flow more easily, which means your heart doesn't have to work as hard.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health also concluded that maintaining adequate hydration in daily life could reduce the risk of major heart problems, including heart failure, later in life. It also reduces the risk of heat stroke, which can be a big risk in the hotter summer months, no matter your age.
Adequate water intake helps your body run more smoothly. I think it's worth repeating—every part of your body needs water in order to work well. That's especially true for organs like the kidneys and liver. Ensuring you get enough water daily can help these waste-processing organs clear out junk (for lack of a better word) from your body more efficiently.
Proper hydration can also help prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections. According to the National Kidney Foundation, “Kidney stones form less quickly when water is available to prevent crystals from sticking together in urine. Water also helps dissolve the antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections, making them more effective.”
While you can get water from fruits, vegetables and even your morning cup of joe, straight water is still the best, purest and simplest means of staying hydrated. However, I understand a lot of people don't like plain water, but we don't want to default to sugary powders to add flavor.
Not a fan of plain water? Click here for three of our favorite hydrating alternatives to regular water!
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